Meet the Team | Nimbler. Abbey Kostyal
Our Nimble. team is growing quickly and today we’re excited to introduce our newest Nimbler. and first Junior Brand Marketing Designer, Abbey Kostyal. Take a few minutes to get to know Abbey in this 4-minute read.
👋 Hi Abbey!
Give us the run down—
As Nimble.’s first blended brand marketing designer, tell us how you’ll be spending your days in studio.
AK: My studio days will be a hybrid blend of working on Nimble.’s brand management and marketing initiatives and bolstering our internal resources. Strengthening my skills across illustration, brand marketing, web design and social media, I’m excited to learn more through this new role!
How do you define ‘brand’?
AK: I think a brand is a vehicle for quickly expressing what you want people to know about your core values and your personality. I would add that having a clear and consistent brand presence is crucial for really connecting with customers.
Your design superpower?
AK: Handling and juggling projects with grace! I look at every day as a new opportunity to approach people, projects and things with positivity. Even if I’m slammed with deadlines, optimism and grace will always be my design superpowers.
Abbey settling into the Nimble. studio workflow
Abbey catching some rays on a rooftop in Helsingborg, Sweden
What brought you to Nimble.?
AK: During my time in college, I studied abroad in Denmark and was lucky enough to work on an exhibition focused on showcasing Copenhagen’s sustainable attributes as well as the city’s unique flair with a team of 12 students. I loved the size and the experience of collaborating together to create something amazing. So after graduation, I knew I wanted to work with a small, collaborative, tight-knit team that supports and pushes each other forward. I found that at Nimble. and am excited to contribute to the studio team’s success daily.
If you had 5 minutes to teach someone something, what would it be and why?
AK: I would teach them about the smooth tool on Illustrator. When I finally found out about it, it made my illustration process go so much faster. It’s my favorite tool ever!
You just graduated. How did 2020’s hurdles shape your outlook post-graduation?
AK: My entire senior year was online due to the pandemic, and I actually ended up moving back home for a duration of it. As a result, I had a lot of time on my hands to reflect, strengthen my illustration skills and work on my portfolio. My ultimate take-away from the experience is that you’re never done learning and that pausing to strengthen your skills is never a bad thing. I want to take that idea with me going forward — to remember to set some intentional time aside to work on new skillsets.
Your largest source of creative inspiration?
AK: I would definitely say Instagram and Pinterest. Following and keeping up with my favorite designers or works from local artists and makers is something that energizes me and my work. Some of my personal favorites include Timothy Goodman, Scott Sugiuchi, Nick Matej, and Lydia Nichols.
Abbey posing for some graduation photos in her college town of West Chester, PA
When Abbey isn’t chowing down on some pineapple pizza or popcorn with m&m’s, you can find her snacking on her second love: Poke bowls.
What’s the one thing the Nimble. community should know about you?
AK: I love pineapple (or pineapple and ham) on pizza! I know many people have strong feelings on the pineapple and pizza debate, but it’s my favorite topping. I also like to put m&m’s in my popcorn. I promise I’m normal otherwise!
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
AK: Karen Watkins, one of my design professors in school, used to always say “make me care” when sharing project work. I’ve internalized this advice and it’s now a part of my design process. It’s helped me understand the value of good visual storytelling and injecting passion into my work daily. If you can help people connect with your work on a deeper level and show why you are passionate about a particular concept — that’s the win.
Thanks for reading the newest interview in our Meet the Team series.
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For questions or to add to the conversation, contact Maria Royal, maria@nimbledesignco.com | 404.445.3400.